Also a host of other friends of African Missions, whose names I cannot recall at this distance.

And to my devoted wife, Mrs. Fannie Ridgel, is this little volume most sincerely dedicated as a faint expression of gratitude for their devotion to the cause of humanity, and advancement of the Church of God. AUTHOR.

The present age is not famous for deeds of dare and adventure; cheap notoriety, evanescent popularity and temporary honors appear to satisfy the ambition of the present generation. Inordinate selfishness has such a grasp upon the men of to-day, that one is rarely found who is willing to sacrifice his own ease and comfort for the good of others or for a name that will go down to coming ages. Merit, pure and simple, holds a secondary place in these times of scheme and artifice. If we look among statesmen, we find United States senators who have succeeded in getting rich through the issue of bonds upon imaginary stock and futures—actually buying up legislatures for a seat in that grave and venerable assembly, when they know they will not be able to make a speech upon any important question until they have hired some professional speech-writer to manufacture one for them and type-print it, so they can read it as any newspaper article.

Among the members of the lower house of Congress a dozen men, out of three hundred or more, make all of the speeches that have the tinge of statesmanship. The remainder are mere political harangues, made up of wit, humor and sarcasm. The judiciary of the country in the main are composed of failures in the legal profession, for the few able jurists are in such great demand that they are often able to make more out of a single case before the bar than the pay of the judge will amount to in a year, and sometimes in two years. A like imbecility and intellectual and literary impotency run through every grade of juridical and statesmanic scale till we reach the ordinary justice of the peace.

Our authors are more numerous than in any period since time began, but the trashy literature imposed upon the public shows to a demonstration that nine-tenths of them would be better employed reading books than in writing them. Great scholarship, deep reading, profound thought, synthetical and analytical power and systematization is too largely an adjunct of the past, for the reason that social intercourse with the giddy and the gay and the toddy-glass must be denied, and protracted application, as well as burning the midnight oil, is an essential prerequisite to literary excellence and distinction.

The same condition of things aptly applies to the ecclesiastical sphere. Ministers of the gospel in the main no longer hunger and thirst for a profound knowledge of the Bible and a thorough familiarity with theological lore. The chief aim is to squeeze by the committees on examination and get to be deacons and elders, regardless of the necessary qualifications to meet the requirements therewith connected. And if they can flaunt a diploma from some third-class institution of learning, they feign to be insulted if a committee should subject them to a reasonable examination; and when once admitted into the ministry, study and protracted meditation cease to be a virtue. A large majority appear to be ignorant of the fact, that true education requires a lifetime of hard study, and that wit, anecdotes, florid sentences and a few rhetorical embellishments are no test of profundity, either in a literary or an intellectual aspect. Thousands of gospel ministers seem to think they can trick and cunning their way to the hearts of the people, or to their attention at least, and finally to a seat in heaven, without half of the proficiency required of a blacksmith, or a carpenter, or in any other mechanical profession, because it involves talk, forgetful that when talk is defective, or trivial and light, that the people will fully realize it and grade their intelligence and ability accordingly. I know of ministers carrying the title of D.D. who will go to bed at the earliest opportunity and lie there till ten and eleven o'clock next day and complain about not having time to read. Such moral sluggards God never intended to be the directors of His people. Ministerial fitness and fidelity call for industry, patience, endurance, invincibility and consecrated devotion, as well as the sacrifice of self, in all the phases that involve the individual himself, or his family and domestic relations. And in as much as his calling is infinitely more lofty than the statesman, the jurist, the warrior, the explorer, the inventor, the discoverer, or any other pursuit or profession of a secular nature, so his sacrifices heroism, adventures and risks should be infinitely more stupendous and mighty, especially so as Christ Jesus our Lord has promised to be with him till the world shall end.

Among the ministry of African descent in the United States, where they are found in the largest numbers outside of Africa proper, profundity, thoroughness, self-abnegation and the spirit of sacrifice, are at a discount that is alarming, especially in the light of divine revelation. Few of the American Africans, or negroes, if you prefer the term, are willing to make any sacrifice in a physical or secular manner for the amelioration of our condition. No one appears to be willing to sacrifice life, money, or even risk any bodily comforts for the betterment of the masses. No self-protecting organizations exist, no secret pass-words, or forms of expression have been agreed upon as a call to rally to each other's defense when the bloody lynchers are doing their work of death and destruction among our people. And even when one would dare to enter a protest against existing evils, they will fly to the North and play the scullion through the day and write a tissue of abuses at night which is of no practical benefit. It is useless, however, to draw a picture of existing things in a material and moral point of view. The American black man is without a single hero. Indeed, the bulk of them have no proper conception of the meaning of the term.

Churchiologically, the same condition of things exists. The only aspiration for fame, honor and immortality that exists to an insignificant exception is at the expense of others. Many of the pastors will build large churches on credit and have their names engraved on the corner-stone, and hasten away for another minister and the congregation to pay the debt. Those who aspire to distinction in the ranks of the ministry, do so almost invariably through the votes of others, seeking to be elected to the Bishopric, or to some general office, instead of aspiring to distinction by writing hymns or learned works on Theology, Astronomy, Geology, Geography, Chemistry, Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, or delivering a series of lectures on Ancient History, or delving into the labyrinths of Archaeology and establishing the claims of nature to the primitive color of man, and showing through it that all men started black and remained so till God said, “Let there be white,” just as He said “Let there be light.”

No honors conferred can equal those that come through merit, but meritorious honor and distinction are at a low ebb among negro ecclesiastics, because it involves, as we have said before, an amount of labor, patience, self-abnegation and sacrifice, which is foreign to the age, and especially to the American black man.

Rev. A. L. Ridgel, A.B., Presiding Elder of the Liberia Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, however, is one of the amazing few who has had the courage and the dauntless invincibility to break through the lethargic environments and proclaim himself a hero, not by words, but by works and noble deeds. Nearly four years ago, single and alone, amid discouragements and the condemnation and jeers of his brethren, he surrendered his pulpit at Newport, Arkansas, and turned over a splendid congregation into the hands of his presiding elder for him or the Bishop to fill, and began to travel and collect money and means to enable him to go as a missionary to Africa. I need not describe what he had to contend with, for the book you will read, after glancing at this introduction, will describe it too well for our credit and the honor of our common Christianity. Elder Ridgel stands without a peer among the young men, not only in the A. M. E. Church, but of any church manipulated and managed by members of our race. Since he has been in Africa he has had to battle with poverty, look starvation in the face, fight with maladies indigenous to a strange country, contend with a tropical fever, and bear the abuse, misrepresentation and villification by those behind from whom he expected sympathy, prayers, support and words of comfort and cheer. But, like a man of valor and a hero as he is, he bore it all and stood like an impregnable wall, preached the gospel with a power and eloquence that has enabled him to take hundreds into the church and enlarge the boundaries of the connection, and at the same time write scores of letters for the press of the country describing the resources of Africa and the possibility of our church; also preparing booklets for publication, editing a paper with an extensive circulation, which is read upon three continents, and now he gives the world a decent volume, which for size, diction, rhetoric, thought, logic, philosophy and learning will be read and admired by tens of thousands. There are chapters in this volume, the subjects of which are treated with an ability that would not reflect upon Lord Macaulay himself. This production alone will immortalize the name of Elder Ridgel, should he never write another. Not only for its chaste diction, terse and pointed sentences, wide reading and commendable learning, but the question will rise in the future, how he could command himself, utilize the severe ordeal through which he has passed and concentrate his intellectual powers to discuss such grave questions as he has raised and treated with such consummate ability. The reader will find a vein of philosophy in his treatment of the dissimilarity between the African autochthons and the African Americanized, which, we venture to say, has never been brought out by any of the writers of the present generation. He shows beyond question that none of the proletaneous divisions of the Africans can equal in manhood instincts those upon their native soil, for the reason, as we have said a thousand times, their environments tend to dwarf them and in every instance they will be successful. Subjugation begets degradation, and degradation begets treachery and racial infidelity, as is verified in the treachery of the Irish and Polanders, which abound with traitors toward each other, and will as long as they are the victims of subjugation by other nationalities.

We are glad that Dr. J. M. Conner was kind enough to furnish a sketch of Brother Ridgel's life, for if he is true to himself in the future, as he has been in the past, the world will need this information when he shall have paid the debt of nature; for the history of Sierra Leone and of Liberia with their religious achievements can never be written up without incorporating the name and labors of Rev. A. L. Ridgel. And yet his career has virtually just commenced; where it will end can only be determined by that God who can read the future. Trusting that this book will be an inspiration to the men of the present day and millions who are sleeping in the womb of the future, and that its contents may evolve great and mighty men and women from the descendants of Africa, we ask upon this effort the blessings of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

In this little volume will, no doubt, appear many things already given to the public concerning Africa, her people, their customs, etc. However, I have been moved to yet enlarge upon the subject, not for name, nor to get myself before the reading world, but for a much higher and infinitely grander purpose—a purpose or cause in which the interests of millions of my kinsmen are involved.

Designing individuals have both written and said many things which tend to place Africa in a false light before the world.

Many have strongly denounced the country and have held up her people before the public for ostracism, which, to say the least, is more due to prejudice and race-hatred than anything else.

Others have overrated the possibilities, especially when certain classes of persons are included. Therefore, having a personal knowledge of the situation of West Africa, I feel it my duty to give others the benefit of my experience, etc.

In this little volume the reader will have the honest convictions of a close observer of the affairs of West Africa and the advisability of migration, a subject of so much importance to those of our brethren in exile.

We do not claim for it literary merit, but I do claim for it the embodiment of truth, presented in a spirit of meekness and fear toward God, and a sincere devotion to my oppressed race.

In this age, when mighty volumes are flooding the land; when men of title and ability draw so heavily upon the public mind, we cannot expect but a secondary place for this feeble effort.

However, we do hope some good will accrue from what may be gathered from facts herein written.

Trusting that the God of heaven has directed me in all that I have written upon these pages,

The subject of this sketch was born in Bradley county, Arkansas, August 10, 1861. He is the eldest son of Alfred and Charlotte Ridgel. His parents were devout Christians and members of the A. M. E. Church. Rev. Alfred Ridgel was a minister of considerable notoriety.

Young Ridgel can best tell his own story concerning the death of his mother, and also of his conversion.

Here is what he says:

“My dear mother was an exemplary Christian woman. She would often walk four miles on the Sabbath to hear the gospel preached. It was under the preaching of my father that I was aroused to a sense of my soul's salvation. This was in the month of June, 1876, in the fifteenth year of my life. I have always desired to be a Christian. I cannot remember the time when I did not pray and beg the Lord to convert my soul. I was converted while a penitent at the altar begging for mercy, but was not wholly satisfied as to the genuineness of my conversion until two weeks later, when I heard a voice, saying, ‘You are free indeed.’ Since then I have never, in any way, doubted my conversion.

“My dear mother died January 1, 1875, at 5 o'clock, A.M. Her last words were these: ‘Husband, raise my children right, teach them to be Christians. I am going home to glory. You all must meet me over there.’ Ah, my best earthly friend died that morning! Oh, how my tender heart did ache that morning, when I heard the doctor say, ‘She can't live.’ Oh, how my infant soul throbbed while she bade us adieu.

“Five motherless children were left behind—one of whom was a baby.

“Dear mother is gone, but I shall see her again some day. Oh, yes, some day my journey will be done, the battle will be fought and the victory won. The Lord has been good to us.

“We have all reached manhood and womanhood. My eldest sister, India, is a devout Christian woman, but my poor brother, Haywood, is yet out of Christ, yet exposed to the wrath and vengeance of a just God. Sisters Tenny and Della are both married and trying to live Christian lives.

“My father died August, 1885. He left a glowing testimony as to the future welfare of his soul. I was not at home when he breathed his last, but reached home shortly after his death. Oh, God, help me to meet my sainted parents in the better land.

“A few months ago, September 16, 189-, I visited his grave, and dropped a tear upon that sacred spot.”

Our subject was sent to a country school at an early age, where he laid the foundation for an education. His educational advantages have not been by any means good, but by dint of courage, perseverance and a determination to fight down hindrances and come to the front, he has acquired a splendid education.

He was licensed to exhort by Rev. D. Wilson, when but eighteen years of age. Four years later he was granted local preacher's license by Rev. R. A. Sinquefield. After serving in the capacity of local preacher some years he was recommended to the Annual Conference, which met in Helena, Arkansas, November 16, 1884, Rt. Rev. H. M. Turner, D.D., presiding. He passed a splendid examination and was admitted on trial. Bishop Turner appointed him to the Walnut Lake Mission, where he found a handful of discouraged members, and a half-completed church edifice.

Our young itinerant had not long been on the scene before he matured plans, marshaled his army, and pitched battle against his enemy. During the year souls were converted, members received, the church structure improved, and the best dollar-money report in the history of the charge was made.

Listen to what one of his members says:

“Brother Ridgel is a grand, young man. We all love him and hate to give him up, but our little mission is not able to maintain so worthy a young man.”

The year 1885 found our young giant on the Sheridan Mission, with four places of worship, sixty members scattered over a whole county, and he, with no horse to ride, when some of his members saw fit to loan him one. His first experience in borrowing mules came near proving very serious. Having to meet an appointment some fifteen miles distant, good old Brother Hayman volunteered to let him ride his mule, “Mike.” Of course the kind offer was thankfully accepted. Mike was soon saddled, and our young divine, with well-stuffed saddle-bags, containing two suits of clothes, a Methodist hymn book, A. M. E. Discipline, and a copy of the Sacred Word, was well on his way to little Macedonia Church, when “old Mike” became excited at a bunch of hogs by the way, and began pitching at such a rate, that the gospel messenger was landed about fifteen feet from the more furious than excited beast, with the bags thrown squarely over his back, which, when examined, were found to be unharmed. Old Mike soon re-traced his steps homeward, with the young clergy following hard upon his heels. So great was his success on this mission, that a strong petition was sent to the Annual Conference begging his return, which was granted, and the second year was no less successful than the first. But let old Brother Hayman speak: “I just tell you, Brother Ridgel is the very best preacher that we have ever had on this work. Even the white folks are talking about what a preacher he is. If our work was able to maintain him we would ask his return, but it is a shame to keep such a young man in the woods.”

Eighteen hundred and eighty-six found our subject at Swan Lake. This was his first year on a circuit. His administration on this work was highly commended by all of his official members, while the laity of the church simply idolized their young pastor. During the year sixty members were received into the church, money was raised for the erection of a new church edifice, and a good dollar-money report was made.

Eighteen hundred and eighty-seven found Rev. Ridgel bolding forth on the Pastoria Circuit, one of the largest circuits in the South Arkansas Conference. Here he distinguished himself as a financier and revivalist. A great revival of religion broke out, near a hundred souls were brought into the church and the work so greatly enlarged that the circuit was divided at the conference into two self-sustaining charges; the dollar-money report was one hundred dollars, the largest that had ever gone from that work.

Hear what Mr. W. E. Pennington says of our subject:

“Rev. A. L. Ridgel is by far the ablest pastor that we have ever had on this charge. We shall do all in our power to have him returned. Our church has flourished as never before. Our prayers shall follow him wherever he goes.”

Brother Ridgel writes as follows concerning his labors on the above-mentioned charge:

“Never in my life did I spend a more pleasant year. The people were generous, kind, and progressive. They never refused to oblige me in any way possible. Their homes were places of comfort, and their conversations enjoyable. God bless them.”

In 1888 Bishop R. R. Disney appointed Rev. Ridgel to the Forest City Station, a charge of importance, but quite difficult to hold. So turbulent were the elements of dissatisfaction, that some years as many as four pastors had been sent to this charge. Some of them were men of ability, experience, and great pulpit powers. Our young divine forsook his home conference, accepted a transfer, bade the dear brethren of the good old South Conference adieu, and was soon off for his new, but difficult, post of duty.

Soon the city was captured by his devotion, untiring zeal, and burning eloquence. The congregation increased with each succeeding Sabbath. The young people were gained for the church and Sunday-school. For years, pastors had endeavored to renovate the church edifice but failed. Brother Ridgel asked the brethren to follow him. He pulled off his coat, got his tools and went to work himself, and very soon the church was a thing of beauty.

The first year at Forest City closed with a glorious revival of religion in which sixty persons were happily converted to God; eighty were added to the church, and the old church debt nearly wiped out of existence. At the conference of 1889, which convened in Forest City, a strong petition was made to Bishop Disney for the return of Rev. A. L. Ridgel which was granted. The second year was one of wonderful success. The debt was paid, an organ was purchased for the Sunday-school, the membership was doubled, and the best dollar-money report ever sent from that station was made at the conference of '90.